This comprehensive introduction to SQL Server begins with an overview of database design basics and the SQL query language along with an in-depth look at SQL Server itself Progresses on to a clear explanation of how to implement fundamental concepts with the new 2008 version of SQL Server Discusses creating and changing tables, managing keys, writing scripts, working with stored procedures, programming with XML, using SQL Server Reporting and Integration Services, and more Features updated and new material, including new examples using Microsoft's AdventureWorks sample database

This book is written for SQL Server 2008. However, it does maintain roots going back a few versions and looks out for backward compatibility issues with SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2000. These versions are old enough that there is little to no time spent on them except in passing. The book is oriented around developing on SQL server. Most of the concepts are agnostic to what client language you use although the examples that leverage a client language general do so in C#. For those who are migrating from early versions of SQL Server, some “gotchas” that exist any time a product has versions are discussed to the extent that they seem to be a genuinely relevant issue. This book assumes that you have some experience with SQL Server and are at an intermediate to advanced level. The orientation of the book is highly developer focused. While there is a quick reference-oriented appendix, there is very little coverage given to beginner level topics. It is assumed that you already have experience with data manipulation language (DML) statements and know the basics of the mainstream SQL Server objects (views, stored procedures, user defined functions, etc.). If you would like to brush up on your knowledge before diving into this book, the author recommends reading Beginning SQL Server 2008 Programming first. There is very little overlap between the Beginning and Professional books and they are designed to work as a pair.

Extend your programming skills with a comprehensive study of the key features of SQL Server 2008. Delve into the new core capabilities, get practical guidance from expert developers, and put their code samples to work. This is a must-read for Microsoft .NET and SQL Server developers who work with data access—at the database, business logic, or presentation levels. Discover how to: Query complex data with powerful Transact-SQL enhancements Use new, non-relational features: hierarchical tables, native file streaming, and geospatial capabilities Exploit XML inside the database to design XML-aware applications Consume and deliver your data using Microsoft LINQ, Entity Framework, and data binding Implement database-level encryption and server auditing Build and maintain data warehouses Use Microsoft Excel to build front ends for OLAP cubes, and MDX to query them Integrate data mining into applications quickly and effectively. Get code samples on the Web.

SQL Server 2005 is the largest leap forward for SQL Server since its inception. With this update comes new features that will challenge even the most experienced SQL Server DBAs. Written by a team of some of the best SQL Server experts in the industry, this comprehensive tutorial shows you how to navigate the vastly changed landscape of the SQL Server administration. Drawing on their own first-hand experiences to offer you best practices, unique tips and tricks, and useful workarounds, the authors help you handle even the most difficult SQL Server 2005 administration issues, including blocking and locking. You'll learn how to fine-tune queries you've already written, automate redundant monitoring and maintenance tasks, and use hidden tools so that you can quickly get over the learning curve of how to configure and administer SQL Server 2005. What you will learn from this book How to use some of the more advanced concepts of installation Techniques for properly administering development features such as SQL CLR Ways to secure your SQL Server from common threats How to choose the right hardware configuration Best practices for backing up and recovering your database Step-by-step guidelines for clustering your SQL Server Who this book is for This book is for experienced developers and database administrators who plan to administer or are already administering an SQL Server 2005 system and its business intelligence features. Wrox Professional guides are planned and written by working technologists to meet the real-world needs of programmers, developers, and IT professionals. Focused and relevant, they address the issues technology professionals face every day. They provide examples, practical solutions, and expert education in new technologies, all designed to help programmers do a better job.

Teaches solution architects, designers, and developers how to use Microsoft's reporting platform to create reporting and business intelligence (BI) solutions Updated with new information about holistic BI solutions, comprehensive OLAP/Analysis Services reporting, and complete production deployment scenarios Includes programming examples focused on specific, scenario-based solutions Explains reporting services architecture and business intelligence, teaches the fundamentals of designing reports through the use of careful planning considerations, and covers advanced report design and filtering techniques

Service Broker is a key Microsoft product in support of message–based processing between applications. Pro SQL Server 2008 Service Broker helps you to take full advantage of this key Microsoft technology, beginning from the fundamentals, moving through installation and application development, and ultimately showing you how to develop highly available and scalable applications based upon the service–oriented architecture that is quickly gaining ground as the way forward in application development. Comprehensive approach to developing with Service Broker Strong focus on best practices and real–world scenarios Covers the key aspects of distributed application design

An authoritative guide to designing effective solutions for datacleansing, ETL, and file management with SQL Server 2008Integration Services SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is the leading tool inthe data warehouse industry, used for performing extraction,transformation, and load operations. After an overview of SSIS architecture, the authors walk you aseries of real-world problems and show various techniques forhandling them. Shows you how to design SSIS solutions for data cleansing, ETLand file management Demonstrates how to integrate data from a variety of datasources, Shows how to monitor SSIS performance, Demonstrates how to avoid common pitfalls involved with SSISdeployment Explains how to ensure performance of the deployed solution andeffectively handle unexpected system failures and outages The companion Web site provides sample code and databasescripts that readers can directly implement This book shows you how to design, build, deploy, and managesolutions to real-world problems that SSIS administrators anddevelopers face day-to-day.